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Match 18 of the 2025 Women’s Premier League (WPL) will see UP Warriorz Women take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium, Lucknow. Both teams are struggling this season, with UP Warriorz languishing at the bottom of the table and Bengaluru sitting just one spot above them.
While UP’s playoff hopes are almost non-existent, Bengaluru still have a slim chance to qualify for the playoffs if they win their remaining games. This match is crucial for both teams, but Bengaluru’s stronger squad gives them the edge.
Match Details
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match Number | 18 |
| Teams | UP Warriorz Women vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women |
| Venue | Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium, Lucknow |
| Date & Time | 8th Mar 2025, 7:30 PM |
| Format | T20 |
| Tournament Stage | Group Stage |
Team Previews
UP Warriorz Preview
UP Warriorz Women’s campaign has been disappointing, with three consecutive losses leaving them at the bottom of the table. Their batting lineup has struggled to fire consistently, relying heavily on Chinelle Henry, Grace Harris, and Deepti Sharma. Henry has been their standout performer, scoring 144 runs at a strike rate of 212, while Harris and Sharma have contributed over 120 runs each. However, their middle order has failed to capitalize on starts, putting immense pressure on the top order.
The bowling department has been slightly better, with Sophie Ecclestone and Harris leading the attack with 14 wickets between them. Kranti Goud and Deepti Sharma have also chipped in with six wickets apiece. If UP is to end their campaign on a high, their bowlers will need to restrict Bengaluru’s batters in the middle overs.
Key Players: Chinelle Henry, Deepti Sharma, Grace Harris
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Preview
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women have had a mixed season, with four losses in six matches leaving them in fourth place. Despite their struggles, they remain in contention for a playoff spot, making this game a must-win. Ellyse Perry has been the backbone of their batting, amassing 295 runs at an average of 49.16, including four half-centuries. Skipper Smriti Mandhana and Danielle Wyatt have also contributed significantly, providing stability at the top.
Their bowling attack, led by Renuka Singh Thakur, has been effective, with 10 wickets at an economy rate of 8.71. Georgia Wareham and Kim Garth have also been consistent, picking up nine and six wickets respectively. Bengaluru’s balanced team composition gives them the upper hand against UP Warriorz.
Key Players: Ellyse Perry, Renuka Singh Thakur, Smriti Mandhana
Favourite Team to Win
| Team | Reasons for Winning |
|---|---|
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Stronger batting lineup, experienced bowlers, and playoff motivation. |
Bengaluru’s superior batting depth and bowling options make them the favourites. With Ellyse Perry in form and Renuka Singh leading the attack, they are well-equipped to handle UP’s challenge.
Fantasy Team XI
| Player | Role | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Ellyse Perry | All-rounder | Bengaluru |
| Chinelle Henry | All-rounder | UP Warriorz |
| Smriti Mandhana (c) | Batsman | Bengaluru |
| Grace Harris | All-rounder | UP Warriorz |
| Danielle Wyatt | Batsman | Bengaluru |
| Deepti Sharma | All-rounder | UP Warriorz |
| Renuka Singh Thakur | Bowler | Bengaluru |
| Sophie Ecclestone | Bowler | UP Warriorz |
| Georgia Wareham | Bowler | Bengaluru |
| Richa Ghosh (wk) | Wicketkeeper | Bengaluru |
| Kim Garth | Bowler | Bengaluru |
Explanation: This fantasy team includes key performers like Ellyse Perry and Chinelle Henry, who can contribute with both bat and ball. Smriti Mandhana and Danielle Wyatt add batting firepower, while Renuka Singh and Sophie Ecclestone lead the bowling attack.
Captain & Vice-Captain Suggestions
- Captain: Ellyse Perry (consistent all-round performer)
- Vice-Captain: Smriti Mandhana (experienced batter and captain)
Players to Avoid in Fantasy Team
- Kiran Navgire (UP Warriorz): Inconsistent performances this season.
- Ekta Bisht (Bengaluru): Expensive in recent games and lacks impact.
Probable Playing XIs
UP Warriorz
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Grace Harris | All-rounder |
| Kiran Navgire | Batsman |
| Georgia Voll | Batsman |
| Vrinda Dinesh | Batsman |
| Deepti Sharma (c) | All-rounder |
| Shweta Sehrawat | Batsman |
| Uma Chetry (wk) | Wicketkeeper |
| Chinelle Henry | All-rounder |
| Sophie Ecclestone | Bowler |
| Gouher Sultana | Bowler |
| Kranti Goud | Bowler |
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Smriti Mandhana (c) | Batsman |
| Danielle Wyatt-Hodge | Batsman |
| Ellyse Perry | All-rounder |
| Raghvi Bist | Batsman |
| Kanika Ahuja | Batsman |
| Richa Ghosh (wk) | Wicketkeeper |
| Georgia Wareham | Bowler |
| Kim Garth | Bowler |
| Sneh Rana | Bowler |
| Renuka Singh Thakur | Bowler |
| Ekta Bisht | Bowler |
Pitch Report
The Ekana pitch offers a balanced surface that slows down as the game progresses. Swing bowlers will find assistance early, while spinners will dominate in the second half. A total of 160-170 should be competitive.
Toss Prediction
The team winning the toss is likely to bowl first, given the trend of successful chases at this venue.
Winner Prediction
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women are predicted to win due to their stronger squad and playoff motivation.
Final Prediction: Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women to win.
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